Egon Schüler and his wife happily showed to China News Agency reporters a special gift they received from the Chinese Embassy in Germany-the mascots of the Beijing Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympics at their home in Berlin. "Bingdundun" and "Snow Rongrong".

　　Egon Schuler and his wife Erica are both natives of Berlin.

The couple have been attached to China for more than ten years.

Not long ago, they made a short video about their story with China and participated in the "Me and China" short video and picture contest held by the Chinese Embassy in Germany.

　　2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Germany. To celebrate this important year, the Chinese Embassy in Germany has launched this competition, inviting people from all walks of life in Germany to tell their stories with China.

　　Egon, 74, ran a company that made optical equipment and instruments for photographic darkrooms before retiring.

His company began selling photographic equipment to China in the early 2000s.

Egon himself visited China for the first time in 2009, and has visited China on average once or twice a year since then.

Before the outbreak, the couple had visited China 13 times. "We tried to go to a different province and city each time and stayed there for about 30 days. The longest one was 60 days."

　　During their stay in China, they rented a car to travel, fully experienced the customs of the provinces and cities in the east, west, north and south of China, and were deeply moved by the charm of China.

After returning to Berlin, the Egons went to the local Chinese Cultural Center and signed up to study Chinese.

"Before the epidemic, we have traveled in China for more than 360 days!"

　　Since 2010, the Egons have fallen in love with Tai Chi.

They studied Tai Chi at the Chinese Cultural Center in Berlin, and Egon also has a Chinese name "Xu Yihong".

Today, the Egons love to practice Tai Chi on the streets of Berlin whenever they have time.

This has also become the theme chosen for their participation in this competition.

　　Erika hopes that the communication between the people of the two countries can eliminate misunderstandings, let the Germans know a more real China, and let the Chinese know a more real Germany.

(Reporter Peng Dawei produced Xu Miaoqiao)

Responsible editor: [Ye Pan]